Volume 38, Number 5 May 2018

Inside the Nut People are the Key... Life Event NewsPistol Creek Before and AfterFridays in the Truck (Field)Business is BoomingHealthiest WorkplacePolice Academy Grad Honored

In 1948 Harry S. Truman was our President. The average house in the U.S. cost $7,700. Gasoline was 16¢ per gallon, Ben Hogan won the PGA tour which consisted of 12 rounds or 216 holes in seven days, and Bill Bryant, our Assistant Director of Public Works was born. Bill was one of five children in the Bryant household. His father James was a farm boy who moved to the city after he married Olga, a city girl. Luckily for Bill and his siblings, their grandparents owned a farm where the Bryants spent lots of weekends and many summers working in the fields, hunting and enjoying their grandmother Dosha’s home cooking. The farm was just down the road from the church and every Sunday after church, Bill’s grandmother prepared a feast for her family. Bill remembers many meals that were so delicious that he was unable to stop eating before he reached a point where he was miserable - in a good way! Fried chicken, ham, chicken and dumplings, and fried corn were just a few of the dishes Bill remembers with a twinkle in his eye!Bill attended Maryville City Schools. At the time corporal punishment was still allowed and one particular memory from his middle school years stands out from others. A female math teacher who was over 6’ tall and very fit caught a group of boys moving their legs and feet in sync in order to get the floor of their second floor

classroom to shake. She hauled three of the boys out into the hallway to “express her disappointment” in their decisions. Bill says her name, Mrs. Boardman, was very appropriate in that moment. He may or may not have been involved, but was not caught so he didn’t suffer the wrath of a very angry math teacher with a paddle. Bill knew college was not for him, so after his High School graduation in 1966, he began working at Moser’s Department Store as a salesperson in the sporting goods department. On March 1, 1978 Bill began his career with the City of Maryville in the Water and Sewer department. His first assignment was to learn all he could

about a cross-connection control program. This is the process of preventing contaminated water from getting into our water supply via back flow within the city’s water lines. Four years

later Bill moved to a supervisory position in Public Works. Eventually Grounds Maintenance was added to his responsibilities and he became the Assistant Public Works Director several years later. Bill has a short check list for anyone who desires to be a valued employee and perhaps better their position: 1) Come to work. 2) Be safe. 3) Bring a positive attitude. 4) Be productive. “Those four things will put you on the right track with your employer,” says Bill.

In over 40 years of working for the City of Maryville, Bill has seen lots of changes and even more improvement in terms of facilities and equipment. One of his favorite memories from the early years of his career illustrates those improvements! The Public Works office at that time was a small mobile home on the Best Street property where the recycling center is now. It was in bad shape and one afternoon Dick Jenkins,

the Superintendent at the time, was working at his desk when suddenly a loud noise came from his end of the mobile home. Bill went to investigate and found Mr. Jenkins still seated in his chair in the center of a large hole about two feet lower than the remaining floor. Shortly after that the office was moved to a new building on the corner of Best and Montvale Station Roads. In 1991 the Operations Center was opened and all of Public Works was on the move again. Bill is still thankful for the Operations Center

today and believes it was an upgrade that

Digging Deep with Bill BryantLongtime City of Maryville employee prepares to retire in September

Continued, see Bill on page 3

Bill at 10 years old.

Bill with his father, James.

“Find your spot, make the best of it, do the

best you can” ~Doc Adams on Gunsmoke

In the photo to the left, the bank runs straight up and down. This is the result of channel over-widening due to excess run off. The “after” photo to the

right, shows a repaired bank with a gentle slope where native grasses and shrubs will be planted. You can also see the rock and boulders that have been added to direct the flow of water to the middle of the channel to prevent damage in the future.

People are the Key

May Birthdays

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May Anniversaries

New Employee

Jason RussellWater & Sewer

Wastewater Treatment Plant Technician

Born 3/29/2018

Eli Lynn Hall 5lbs. 8oz. • Son of Chelsey

and Jerry Hall (Water & Sewer)

Born 4/11/2018

Emmery Wickert Daughter of

Steven Wickert (MPD)

Accolades and Applause

Baron Swafford, Electric & Water 30 years

Joe Tipton, Water & Sewer 30 years

Steve Davis, MFD 26 years

Jewell White, MPD 25 years

Randy Thompson, MFD 22 years

Ryan Rogers, MPD 20 years

Josh Daniels, Electric 20 years

Rod Fernandez, MPD 18 years

Michael Braden, MPD 17 years

Jim Parrott, E&PW 13 years

Ernie Mertins, IT 10 years

Derrick McMurray, MPD 10 years

Steven Wickert, MPD 5 years

Nathaniel Robinson, MPD 4 years

Alli Derthick, MPD 3 years

Travis Hill, MPD 3 years

4 Christine Tillman, IT

5 Baron Swafford, Electric & Water

6 Darin Carver, MPD

7 Dan Cantwell, E&PW Tony Bailey, Electric

11 Keith Church, IT Doug Strickland, E&PW

14 Jason Roberson, Electric Dennis Effler, E&PW

15 Mike Large, Electric

19 Randall Teffeteller, Electric Ernie Mertins, IT

21 Charles Mims, Finance

23 Jane Groff, Admin.

25 William Kitts, Water & Sewer

28 Missi Fields, Finance Stephanie Perkins, MPD Mark Hasty, MFD Keith Brewer, Dev. Services Steve Davis, MFD

29 Brad Hurst, E&PW

30 Sharon Moore, MPD Steve Dotson, MPD

31 Tony Clark, MFD

Repairs to Pistol Creek Before & After

Before

After

can’t possibly be topped.Bill met Janice, a neighbor and a fellow member of his church, around the same time the Ops Center opened and they were married in 1993. They have three children and six grandchildren. Janice is retired from the Blount County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office and in September, Bill plans to join her as he also retires. He has no plans for the first six months other than to catch up on some home improvement projects around the house and to get a feel for what it is like to wake up and not go to work. He is quick to point out that he loves working for the City, but ever since he was 18 years old, he’s been going to work at least five days a week and he just wants to get his head around the concept of not working. Bill has never shied away from hard work. When he was in his 40’s he decided to dig a hole in his yard to bury his 500 gallon propane tank in. The thing is, he dug it with a shovel after work and on the weekends. It only took a month or so of digging, but he did it. However, that is one thing he has no desire to do again! He would like to get better at golf though. Bill finds that getting a golf ball to fall into that little hole is one of the most difficult skills for a sportsman to master, but its something he’s been trying to get better at since he was 25 years old. He enjoys deer hunting, and if he gets bored, he plans to watch a little Gunsmoke, his favorite old western. He and Janice might do a little traveling, but mostly just in the

Bill - Continued from Page 1

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Dale Jayne is a Licensed Professional Geologist and Environmental Scientist. He spends his days working with the State of Tennessee, the EPA, FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers making sure our environment and our surroundings remain beautiful and pollution free. Dale and Stormwater Inspector Danny Baldwin, Engineer Chuck Rowan, and Public Works staff Jack Bryant, Doug Bishop, Jeremiah Morton, and Doug Strickland make up our Stormwater Management Team. In 2005 the City Council voted to create a Stormwater Utility. The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, to minimize public and private losses due to flooding and to ensure that the city has a fully funded Stormwater Management program as required by the Clean Water Act. On behalf of the city of Maryville Dale keeps a watchful eye on the problems the city faces with an aging drainage system, periodic flooding and erosion along Pistol Creek and within developing neighborhoods. He also monitors potential contaminants flowing into Little River - our drinking water source. Dale manages the Engineering and Public Works Stormwater Management Department. They are responsible for inspecting construction sites over one acre to make sure developers are in compliance with City, State, and Federal rules for erosion prevention and sediment control. They investigate the occurrence of sink holes, stormwater runoff, erosion and sediment control, illicit discharge detection and elimination, pollution control, preservation of our wetlands, improving water quality, repairing and replacing our aging stormwater infrastructure and public education and outreach for all

Fridays in the Field ...with Dale Jayne of the above. Currently Dale is supervising the repair of the banks on Pistol Creek along the Greenway Trail. Because of erosion, the creek is slowly encroaching on the trail. Without the necessary repairs, the trail will eventually fall into the creek. Dale is working with engineers and contractors using natural materials such as boulders and fallen trees to redirect the flow of water naturally and to prevent future erosion of the banks. The banks will be noticeably different, but will appear undisturbed following the repairs because of the use of natural materials and the replanting of native grasses and shrubs along the creek.Dale’s daily mission here at the City is to protect the beauty of our area. His work will impact the lives of many generations of Maryville residents to come. His efforts ensure that our children’s children will still be able to stroll down the Greenway trail, watch a family of deer feeding in the early morning hours, or look out their window at the lush landscape that surrounds us, and that makes for a very good day at work!

Dale stands next to a section of Pistol Creek that was repaired recently.

southeastern states. The Bryants are home bodies who take an enormous amount of pride in and enjoyment from being with their family. He also plans to spend a little time taking care of his yard, and maybe digging some small holes. Gardening is a hobby he picked up when he was working with Grounds Maintenance.

Many years ago, Bill began planning for September 2018. For 40 years he’s been saving for retirement through the ICMA and Principal retirement plans offered by the City. The following is the advice he would give a friend if he were asked his opinion. 1) Start early. 2) Be aggressive early, then conservative when you get closer to retirement. 3) Consider both pre-tax (ICMA 457) and after tax (Roth IRA). 4) Keep changes to a minimum. 5) Be aware of fees charged. 6) Research so you can make good decisions. 7) Attend the meetings provided and ask questions when the ICMA Rep. comes. 8) Be sure you understand the details before you do anything with your retirement. The most helpful piece of advice he ever heard is this, “My goal is not to get the highest return possible, but to get to my goal with the lowest risk possible.” In September Bill will leave his office here at

the City for the last time. It’s an exciting time for him and his family, but for his work family, his absence will leave a gaping hole in our hearts similar to the hole he dug in his back yard. It took a long time to dig both and there was a lot of hard work involved. But in the end, they are both a very good thing and anyone who knows and loves Bill is grateful to have had the opportunity to work beside him and to call him a friend.

Bill surrounded by the men that he says have made Public Works the best it can be. Gary Johnson, Tim Phillips, and Dan Cantwell (L to R).

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But wait, there’s more!

Justin Brown, MPD and Amy Woody, Ops Center Administrative Assistant won their division of the Employee 5K. Taking second place for the men was John Cogburn MFD, and Mindy Brown MPD.

City of Maryville Named Healthiest Tennessee Workplace AgainFor the second year in a row the City has been named one of the Healthiest Companies in America by our wellness provider - Interactive Health. Only 156 of the 3,000 companies they serve achieved this designation. Way to go Maryville, making health and wellness a priority for you and your family is commendable!

Employee & Family 5K Winners!

2018 Employee MeetingsAll employees are encouraged to attend one of the meetings listed below. This is a great opportunity to hear news concerning the City, ask questions of Greg, and learn about our Benefits Open Enrollment for 2018-19.

Monday, Tuesday, andWednesday, May 7, 8, & 9

Operations Center Auditorium @ 7:30 a.m.

Gary H. Hensley Room@ 2 p.m.

Business is BoomingSpotlight on Economic & Community Development with Angie LuckieCommercial Cutting Equipment - Located on 801 E. Broadway Ave. celebrated their grand opening on March 16th. Wilson Taylor, Mayor Tom Taylor’s father was the original owner of the business along with T.C. Drake back in 1946. The new owners are Wilson’s grandson, Whit Taylor and his wife Sarah. Commercial Cutting Equipment will focus on sales, parts and service for professional lawn mowing and landscaping equipment.

Police Academy Graduate

Maryville Police Officer Seth Hughes recently graduated from Walters State Police Academy and earned the Physical Fitness award.

Vacation Day Winners were:Jewel White, Ron Nugent,

Missi Fields, and Ray Boswell

Monday, May 28 is Memorial Day Don’t forget... all offices and recycling centers will be closed, but

there will be no change to the residential garbage pickup schedule.

Remember to thank a veteran for their service on Memorial Day and everyday!

The 2018 Highland Games The 37th annual Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games returns to the Maryville College Campus on Saturday May 19 - Sunday May 20, 2018. The festival offers a weekend of authentic Scottish Highland festivities the entire family can enjoy.Weekend passes will be $35. Prepare for a trip back in time filled with Celtic music and

dancing, genealogical research, sheep dog demonstrations, a dog show and parade, hard-to-find Celtic food and merchandise and much more.